And william kent



(No Model.)

A. SPRINGER 8v W. KENT.

GRAIN METER.

10.365,876. S Patented July 5, 1887.

Aggy.

N. PETERS, PhowLnrmgrapnnr. wn

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED SPRINGER, OF CICINATI, OHIO,YAND WILLIAM KENT, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

GRAIN-METER'.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 365,876, dated July 5, 1887.

Application filed November 24, 1886. Serial No. 219,841. (No model.)

To all when@ it 11a/ty concern,.-

Be it known that we, ALFRED SPRINGER and WILLIAM KENT, citizens of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jersey City, New Jersey, respectively, have invented new and useful Improvements in Grain- Meters, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to scales or meters for Io the automatic determination of measures of grain, Ste., and is intended, primarily, to produce a simple, durable, and accurate mechanismcfor the purpose indicated, whereby grain in a continuously-descending stream is re- VI5 ceived by suitable receptaclesin predetermined quantities, and acts by gravity to discharge itself and operate the mechanism by regular, recurring, and registrable movements in fixed relations to the quantities of grain dezo livercd.

In the present invention we make use of the general principle of shifting the center of gravity of an oscillating apparatus maintained constantly above the axis of rotation z 5 alternately to opposite sides of the perpendicular plane of such axis by means of the grain accumulating in suitably-arranged receptacles. The general operative principle of such apparatus is old 5 but as heretofore constructed 3o the oscillating apparatus was sustained upon knife-edge7 pivots, as in the common methods of scale construction, or upon journalpivots, involving friction. The former con-l struction is necessarily complicated and ex- 3 5 pensive, and the Wear upon the knifeedge bearings soon destroys their efficiency, while the latter construction is obviously crude and inaccurate in results.

In our improvement we construct the apparatus with a torsion-pivot of oscillation,

which is peculiarly adapted to the mechanical movements involved, because it acts by temporary molecular displacement within thelimits of molecular elasticity, and is consequently free from the excessive wear which any form of bearing involving friction is necessarily subject in this form of apparatus. Inasmuch as the pivot in this case carries the entire weight of the apparatus, with a load constantly shift- 5o ing and oscillating the apparatus, the torsionpivot in this connection performs a peculiarly useful function. Moreover, it enables us to dispense with much of the mechanism ordinarily required, and reduces the construction to the most elementary, economical, and effective form.

Mechanism embodying our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure v1 is a side elevation of the apparatus 6o complete; Fig. 2, a detail showing an alternative mode of arranging the discharging gate mechanism; Fig. 3, a perspective view of the torsion-pivot frame and support with the boxes removed. 6

Referring now to the drawings, A B designate two boxes, preferably of sheet metal, held in yokes formed by the bifurcated extensions a c of a pivoted scale-beam, C. 'The boxes are brought together at the top, leaving spaceI 7o between for a weight, W, held adjustable upon a standard, s, rising vertically from the scalebeam centrally above the pivot. rIhe pivotal support of t-he structure is a band or strip, P, of elastic metal, held in tension around a frame, D, the latter being upheld by supports d from a suitable base, E. The balance-beam` C is shown curved upward from its central pivotconnection, the object being to assist in Y elevating the center of gravity of the appara- 8o tus above the axis of rotation, to which end also the poise-weight W is employed, so that the resistance of the torsion-pivot may be at all times overbalanced and the apparatus be top-heavy7 and remain depressed at one 85 side or theother. The boxes are each closed at the bottom by a hinged trap, b, normally held closed by a wei'ght,rw, acting through a pivoted arm, c, and link c, as in Fig. 1, or attached directly upon a rear extension of the 9o trap, as in Fig. 2. In either case, upon the depression of the box to which it is attached, the weight w' strikes the stop or shelf f and causes the trap to open below, as indicated by the dotted lines. The apparatus, being overbalancedin relation to its pivotal support, remains in such tilted position until the accumulating weight of grain in the opposite compartment shifts the center of gravity to the opposite side of the vertical plane of the Ioo axis ofL rotation. It will be seen that the first effect is to bring the balance-beam to a hori-A zon-tal relation, lifting the weight XV to the upward limit of its are of oscillation, passing which the weight is transferred to the descending side. The weight required to effect this movement is the unit measure of the apparatus, and may be varied by substituting a lighter or heavier weight, WV, as required, and is adjustable with a given weight by elevating or depressing the same upon its standard s.

The grain is delivered to the apparatus by gravity from a spout, S, in a continuous stream, and as the tilting of the apparatus from one side to the other shifts the open tops ofthe boxes to alternate positions, the grain falls into the box, whose open top is immediately below it for the time being. The weights w are j ust sui'ieient to hold the traps b closed against the weight of grain in the boxes when the latter are elevated. As they fall, the weights are arrested and the traps thrown open, allowing the grain to discharge below.

Ve do not in this application confine ourselves to the particular form and arrangement of the torsional pivot shown, as any 'form of pivot, whether round, square, flat, Snc., may he used, and held upon any construction of frame or abutments capable of holding the same in tension. Experience, however, has

shown that a pivot tensioned around a frame or system of struts in asubstautially rectangular path is best for the purpose.

Stops tt may be provided to arrest the oscillation of the apparatus at the proper limits. Suitable recording apparatus is to be attached to register the number of oscillations.

Ve claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesl. The automatic grain-meter embodying, in combination, a torsion-pivot, P, tensionframe D, balance-beam C, and boxes A B, substantially as set forth. y

2. The combination, in an oscillating grainmeter, of the boxes A B, beam C, torsioni pivot P, and the adjustable weight W', substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, in an oscillating grainmeter, of the boxes A B, beam C, pivot P, hinged trap I), weight w', and stops f, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination and arrangement, in an 

